Komusim



Nov. 1, 1955 E. KOMUSIN POSTAGE METER PRINTING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 7, 1954 Nov. 1, 1955 Filed Sept. 7, 1954 E. KOMUSlN 2,722,381

POSTAGE METER PRINTING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.7)

Fig.

In vcn/or MAMA NOV. 1, E. KQMUS|N POSTAGE METER PRINTING DEVICE Filed Sept. 7, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 1, 1955 E. KOMUSIN POSTAGE METER PRINTING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 7, 1954 ll 5 5:? vl! Fig I "Ill/nu III mun I. llIlIIIIIII/II- United States Patent POSTAGE METER PRINTING DEVICE Erich Komusin, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, assignor to Telefonbau und Normalzeit G. m. b. H., Frankfurt am Main, Germany Application September 7, 1954, Serial No. 454,406

Claims. (Cl. 235-101) This invention relates to apparatus for printing monetary amounts, and more particularly to apparatus of the kind used for franking letters and/ or other mail by making impressions of monetary amounts which take the place of post stamps.

Apparatus of this kind can only be used by arrangement with the proper authorities, e. g. the Postmaster General, and in order to safeguard the authorities interests, the apparatus must be such that when the aggregate value of the impressions made reaches a predetermined figure, a lockout mechanism becomes operative making the apparatus unusable until re-set or preset, i. e. set for using up another pie-determined amount. Re-setting or presetting is effected by the postal authorities on payment of an appropriate amount.

It is a general object of this invention to improve apparatus of the above character.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned character which facilitates the checking operations which must be made from time to time by the postal authorities.

An apparatus of the aforementioned character is described and claimed in United States Patent 2,187,456 to Erich Komusin, issued January 16, 1940. Printing Apparatus, assigned to the Telefonbau und Normalzeit G. In. b. H., Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus of the general character described and claimed in the above United States patent.

United States Patent 2,187,456 is concerned with a franking machine which includes a printing cylinder having adjustable type wheels. These type wheels can be adjusted to imprint any desired amount, or amounts, of postage, and the apparatus is provided with a counter or adding totalizer indicating at any time the aggregate amount of impressions made. The total amount of impressions made must be less than the amount for which the apparatus has been pre-set by the postal authorities. When or before the aggregate amount of impressions made is equal to the amount for which the apparatus has been pre-set, an automatic locking mechanism becomes operative, precluding further use of the apparatus, e. i. locking it against making further impressions.

It is one object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned character having means which facilitate to determine the balance which remains upon pre-setting of the apparatus for one or more than one amount, and upon use of the apparatus for making a number of impressions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned character having means for indicating the aggregate of all amounts for which the apparatus has been pre-set by the postal authorities.

Apparatus of the aforementioned character are capable of making imprints of various amounts up to an upper limit for one single imprint which limit may be, for

instance, $9.99.

ICC

It is another object of this invention to provide a franking machine including a locking mechanism which becomes operative and precludes further use of the machine when the sum total of all the amounts for which the apparatus has been pre-set, minus the sum total of all imprinted amounts is equal to, or less than, the highest amount, e. g., $9.99, which can be imprinted in one single printing operation.

The foregoing and other general and special objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear from the ensuing particular description of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention ineluding an adding totalizer and a subtracting totalizer in part in top plan view and in part in horizontal section;

Fig. 2 is a section across one of the number wheels of the subtracting totalizer;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the number wheel shown in Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, illustrate a locking mechanism forming an integral part of the structure of Fig. -l in three different operating positions;

Fig. 7 shows the number of wheels of the subtracting totalizer in front elevation;

Fig. 8 shows the number wheels of the adding totalizer in front elevation;

Fig. 9 shows in side elevation a ratchet mechanism of .the subtracting totalizer;

Fig. 10 shows in side elevation a similar ratchet mechanism of the adding totalizer;

Fig. 11 shows in top plan view a modification of the structure-shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is an elevation of the manual operator to 'set the apparatus for given monetary amounts;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section across the structure shown in Fig. 13 with some of the parts thereof in the locking position assumed by them upon use of the monetary amount for which the apparatus has been pre-set by the postal authorities;

Fig. 15 shows in side elevation and in longitudinal section the printing cylinder used for making imprints of monetary amounts;

Fig. 16 is in substance a transverse section through the structure of Fig. 15 with some of the parts shown in elevation rather than in section;

Fig. 17 is an end view of the totalizer operating mechanism or control cylinder including a plurality of toothed wheels having pin-teeth adapted to be shifted at will from an inoperative to an operative position, and

Fig. 18 shows in part in elevation and in part in section a mechanism for locking and unlocking the printing cylinder of the device.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 14 to 16, reference numeral 81 has been applied to indicate a printing cylinder comprising a plurality of type wheels such as 92 and 99. When the printing cylinder 81 is rotating and its type wheels 92 and/or 99 pressed against a letter which is moving relative to the printing cylinder, an impression is made upon the letter in lieu of postage stamps. Printing cylinder 81 supports a shaft '91on which the three type wheels 92 are mounted. Each of the three type wheels 92 can be set ,in any desired angular position to print any desired monetary amount involving three digits, or less. To adjust type wheels 92 suitable gear means are provided including gear wheels 93 and 94, and bevel wheels 95 and 96 meshing with gear wheels 93 and -94 and driven by gear wheels 97 mounted on shaft '98. Shaft supports additional type wheels 99 each of which can be set in a number of different angular positions to print any desired date. If desired, the cylindrical printing surface of printing cylinder 81 may also be provided with other type Wheelssimilar to wheels 99for printing advertising and like matter on envelopes, etc. However, these other type wheels have not been shown in the drawing. All the type wheels which are supported by, and arranged on the outer surface of printing cylinder 81 are supplied with ink from an ink well 83, and inking of the type wheels is accomplished by an ink roller 84. A structure similar to that shown in Figs. 14 to 16, inclusive, has been disclosed in the aforementioned United States Patent 2,187,456.

The desired adjustment of the type wheels 92 of printing roller 81 may be effected by three manually adjustable discs 77, 78, and 79 mounted on a common spindle 75 (see Fig. 13). Spindle 75 with its adjusting discs 77, 78, 79 is supported on rocking lever 76 (see Fig. 14) mounted on shaft 80. Each adjusting discs 77, 78, 79 is provided with a gear (not shown) adapted to mesh with one of the gears 97 of printing cylinder 81. When rocking lever 76 is in the position wherein the gear associated with adjusting discs 77, 7 8, 79 mesh with the gears 97, a gear (not shown) for operating a plurality of coaxial cams 104 forming a control or operating cylinder 82 are also meshing. Each cam 104 (see Fig. 17) has a groove 104a and each groove controls a number of pins 105, i. e. nine such pins. Each pin 105 is provided with 8. lug engaging groove 104a. Each pin of each set of nine pins 105 cooperating with, or controlled by, each earn 104 can be moved radially outwardly by rotating cam 104 in counterclockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 17. Radially outer movement of pins 105 is achieved by virtue of the geometrical configuration of cam groove 104a comprising two circular portions of different radii connected by a slanting portion. It will be seen that according to the angular position of cams 104, a different number of pins 105 will lie in the radially outer portion of can groove 104a and project out of the cylinder 82 formed by the aforementioned plurality of cams 104.

Fig. 17 shows a cam 104 in a position in which four pins 104 project beyond the cylindrical surface of a drum 82 accommodating cams 104 and guiding the radial portions of pins 105. One of the pins 105 shown in Fig. 17 is sliding with the lug thereof on the slanting portion of groove 1040, thus being in the process of being moved radially outwardly. The remaining pins 105 are in their radially inner positions. The section of drum 82 which contains pins 105 is thus made a gear wheel sector having an adjustable number of gear teeth. The number of pin-teeth which project from drum S2 depends upon the setting of adjusting discs 77, 78, 79 shown in Fig. 13. Thus, disc 77 being set to the numeral zero causes one of the discs 104 to be set accordingly with no pin projecting from drum 82; the adjusting cam 78 being set to numeral 2 causes one of the discs 104 of drum 82 to be set in such a way that two pins project from drum 82; the adjusting disc 79 being set to numeral 1 causes the corresponding cam in drum 82 to be moved in the position wherein one pin 105 projects from the surface of the drum. A gear on printing cylinder 81 meshes permanently with a gear on control drum 82, thus causing the latter to always rotate simultaneously with the former.

The pin-teeth 105 of the above described control drum mechanism mesh with the number Wheels of an adding totalizer A which is mounted upon shaft 34 (see Fig. 1). Adding totalizer A adds the monetary amounts of the imprints which have been made with the apparatus. A subtracting totalizer S mounted on shaft 42 is mechanically coupled with, and controlled by, the adding totalizer A and operates in reverse direction, so to speak. The subtracting totalizer S controls a latching lever 43 intended to lock the device to preclude further use thereof.

The subtracting totalizer S indicates the amount up to which impressions can still be made. In other WQrd 1;

is a cash balance indicator. Before any postage impressions can be made the subtracting totalizer or cash balance indicator must be pre-set in accordance with the total amount of cash which may subsequently be used up by an aggregate of impressions. Such pre-setting may be effected by a knob 5 rendered accessible upon removal of lid 201. (See Fig. 14). Knob 5 operates the pair of meshing bevel wheels 6 and 7 and also the spur wheels 16, 17, 26, 30 and 31. As clearly shown in Fig. 1, bevel wheel 7 and spur wheel or pinion 16 are mounted on spindle 15, and spur wheels 17 and 26 are mounted on spindle 21. Spur wheel 31 operates the number Wheel of the subtracting totalizer S corresponding to the highest digit thereof. In addition to the subtracting totalizer or cash balance indicator S, knob 5 operates also another counting device to which the reference numeral 19 has been applied. Counting device 19 adds and indicates the sum total of all pre-payments, and is being set for the same amount of cash as the cash balance indicator S. In case that the cash balance is zero, the locking or latching device of the apparatus must become operative. Operation of the pre-setting knob 5 then effects unlocking or unlatching of the apparatus, and the apparatus then can again be used for making monetary imprints up to the sum total indicated by the subtracting totalizer, or cash balance indicator S.

The structure illustrated in Fig. l comprises a frame 3 supporting spindle 4 on which operating knob 5 is mounted. Both operating knob 5 and bevel wheel 6 are pinned to the spindle 4. Both bevel wheel 7 in mesh with bevel wheel 6 and pinion 16 are pinned to spindle 15 supported by bracket 14 and frame 1. Pinion 18 likewise pinned to spindle 15 operates the counting device 19 which-as mentioned beforeindicates the sum total of all the amounts pre-set by means of knob 5.

Preparatory to pre-setting the apparatus, lever 23 must be shifted to move a coupling element 25 mounted on spindle 21 from one of its positions to the other position thereof. Coupling element 25 is provided on its right side with a pair of pins 202 adapted to engage a pair of perforations 203 in pinion 17 (see Fig. l). Pins 201 of coupling element 25 are adapted to engage perforations provided in spur wheel 26. By shifting the operating end of lever 23, coupling element 25 may be shifted from its position shown in Figs. 1 and 11 to the right, thus causing engagement of the perforations 203 in spur wheel 17 by the pins 202 in coupling element 25. The coupling or clutch lever 23 controls a spring (see Fig. 12) which acts upon a balance lever 72 for an escapement wheel 71. The latter is mounted on the spindle 4 supporting knob 5. The balance lever 72 is pivotally mounted in frame structure 3 and normally engages the escapement wheel 71, thus precluding rotation of spindle 4. Upon shifting of the coupling or clutch lever 23 in such a way as to cause pins 202 to engage the perforations 203 in spur wheel 17, lever 72 is shifted by spring 95 so as to permit rotation of escapement wheel 71, spindle 4 and knob 5 in clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 12. Rotation of knob 5 enables to preset the apparatus for any desired monetary amount. The subtracting totalizer or balance indicator S then indicates the sum total of the new amount for which the apparatus has been set plus any residual amount Which may have been unused by impressions at the time the apparatus is being pre-set.

Referring again to Fig. 1 the rotary motion of knob 5 is transferred to spur wheel 17 engaged by the pins 202 of coupling element 25. Transverse pin 24 provided in spindle 21 is slidably arranged in a slot of coupling element 25, and therefore the rotary motion of spur wheel 17 is transmitted to the spindle 21. Rotation of spindle 21 causes joint rotation of number dial 28, cam 27 and spur wheel 26, all mounted on spindle 21. The numbers on number dial 28 can be read off through an opening or window 2a provided in the side wall of a housing or casing 2. The number on the dial 28 indicates the amount totalizer S is also rotated nine steps. :rotationmeans that the device has been pre-set .for nine of :the xpreepayment :made :at ithe occasion of :pre-setting theq'clevice, plus :any :residualamount which may happen to Zbe unused .at the time the device .isbeing pre-set.

As 'bestshown in Figs. 4106, inclusive, cam 27 controls'a latching ,or locking 'lever 43 which may drop into a groove 27a of cam 27 .and thus prepare latching, or

locking, of the entire apparatus.

Spur wheel 26 meshes with spur wheel 30 loosely mounted-upon spindle .34 of the counter or adding totalizer A. Spur wheel 30 meshes in turn with spur wheel .31 ofthecounter or.subtracting .totalizerS. Spur wheel .31 isattached to;the numberwheel 64 corresponding to .thehighestdigit of the subtracting -,totalizer, e. g. correspondingto hundreds of dollars. As can best beseen in .Fig. 12, knob canbe rotated as much as nine steps.

pre-setting 'units each corresponding to 100 currency units, e. .g. 900 dollars. Window .or opening 101 in housing 2 enables to read the counter or meter 19 (see Fig. 14).

The two terminal noughts of the amount are permanently marked on the outside of casing 2 adjacent window 101, thus indicating that one pre-setting unit is equivalent to 100 currencyunits, e. g. 100 dollars.

The apparatus is locked or latched during the time the pre-setting knob 5 is being adjusted or manipulated. Locking or latching of the apparatus is e'ifected by the rear end of lever 23 entering into a slot 26a of wheel 26 as indicated in Fig. 14. The apparatus is unlocked and rendered operativeupon return of lever 23 to the original J position thereof, i. e. upon shifting of lever 23 to'the right as seen in Fig. 14. If lever 23 is so moved, spring 95 acting upon balance lever or latch 72 locks the escapement wheel 71 in the position precluding rotation thereof by knob -5 in clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. '12, thus making it impossible to pre-set the apparatus for another amount than that for which it has been previously pre-set. Eifecting return of knob 5 to the initial position thereof by a counterclockwise rotation (as seen in Fig. 12) has no effect upon the counter 19, the letter being connected to spindle 15 by a one way drive mechanism.

The type wheels 92 forming an integral part of the printing cylinder 81 (Figs. 14, 15 and 16) are being adjusted in accordance with the amount to be imprinted on a given piece of mail and the pin gears form an. integral part of control drum 82 are being adjusted simultaneously with the type wheels 92. The aforementioned pin gears are in mesh with the spur wheels 37, 38 and 39 of the counter or adding totalizer A. The mechanism shown in Fig. 13 permits adjustment of three digits, i. e. units and two decimals. The pin wheel which corresponds to the lower decimal meshes with the wheel 39. Wheel 39 and number wheel 55 form an integral unit fixedly coupled with gear 36. Gear 36 meshes with gear 40, fixedly coupled with the number wheel 60 of the counter or subtracting totalizer S. The number wheels 55 and 60 indicate the lowest decimal numbers, e. g. cents. Gear 36 is provided with apair of projections or cams which operate gear 36a whenever number wheel 55 is moved from the 9 position to the 0 position thereof. Gear 36a meshes with a gear 65 fixedly coupled with ratchet wheel 69 (Figs. 1 and 10). Ratchet wheel 69 is engaged by the ratchet 70 of the number wheel 56indicating the higher decimal digit. The number wheel 56 is also operated by the gear 38 which in turn is operated by one of the pin wheels of drum 82. Gear 38 is fixedly coupled with gear and with ratchet wheel 69a. The latter cooperates with the ratchet 70a of the number wheel 56. The construction of ratchet wheel 69a and of ratchet 70a is the same as the apparatus.

thattof ratchet wheel 69-and-of ratchet 70 shown in Fig. 10. .Rotation of gear 38 causes rotation of .gear57 by means of ratchet 70a. Rotation of ratchet wheel 69 causes number wheel 56 to beadvanced one step. Gear 35 transmits only such movements to the subtracting totalizer S which are transmitted from the control or :operating drum 82 to gear 38. The number wheel 61 :0f thesubtracting totalizer 5 is adapted to be operated by a ratchet wheel 61a, fixedly coupled with gear-41 meshing with gear 35, or by ratchet wheel 61b which is being moved one step forward at each complete rota- :tion (each tenth 'step) of number wheel 60 (see Fig. 9).

The operation of the number wheel 57 of the adding totalizer A indicating units as, for instance dollars, and 'theoperation of the number wheel 62 of the subtracting totalizer S indicating units .is effected in the same manner as the aforedescribed operation of the number wheels indicating two decimal :digits.

Reference numerals 58 and 59 have been applied to :two number wheels of the adding totalizer .A which are higher .order wheelsfor indicating two additional digits.

These :number .wheels are operated as in any prior art Reference numeral 63 has been applied to the number wheel of the subtracting totalizer S indicating the ten digits. This number wheel is adapted to be operated only by virtue of its mechanical connection with the .units number wheel of the subtracting totalizer S. The

number wheel 64 of the subtracting totalizer Sindicating athe hundred digits is fixedly coupled with the gear 31 adapted to be operated bythe pre-setting mechanism of To this end number wheel '64 is mounted upon a sleeve 50, the outer surface of which has a .number'of ratchet teeth (Figs. 1, 2 and 3), and .it supports pairs of leaf springs 48, 48 and 49, 49, which permit rotation of number wheel 64 on, and relative to, sleeve 59. Sleeve 50 is engaged by pin 51 providing a ifixed coupling between said sleeve and gear '45. The

latter is operated any time number wheel 63 indicating the ten digits is moved from its position 9 to its 0 position.

The printing mechanism of the printing cylinder 81 enables to make imprints of which the highest is 9.99 units, e. g. $9.99. The respective amount is being'added by means of number wheels 55 to 59 of the adding totalizer A, and subtracted by means of the number wheels 60 to 64 of the subtracting totalizer S. Adding totalizer A indicates the sum total of all imprints which have been made, and the subtracting totalizer indicates the total value of the impressions which still can be made. The figure indicated by the adding totalizer A plus the figure indicated by the subtracting totalizer S is the total of all pre-payments. The sum of all prepayments is being indicated by counter 19, and this enables to check in a simple manner whether the apparatus is in order and operates correctly. In other words, the sum of figure on counter A plus that on counter S must at any time be equal to the figure indicated on counter 19.

Assuming that the device has been .pre-set by knob 5 to a position of 7 pre-setting units, each corresponding to '100 units of value or currency, e. g. dollars, then both the counter '19 and the subtracting totalizer S will indicate 700 before any monetary impressions have been made with the apparatus. Assuming now that a number of monetary impressions have been made toplus 632.54.

The figure of 700 is equal .to the total value of the monetary impressions which can be .made .With 'the' ap- 7 paratus before a new pre-payrnent to the postal authorities and a corresponding pre-setting of the apparatus must be made.

In case that the total value of the monetary impressions which can still be made drops to 9.99--the highest amount involved in any single operation of the apparatus-or less, the apparatus must be locked to preclude continued operation thereof. This locking operation precludes the sum total of monetary impressions made from exceeding at any time the amount for which the apparatus has been pre-set. The locking mechanism of the apparatus has been illustrated in Figs. 4, and 6 wherein reference numeral 43 has been applied to a locking lever shown in Fig. 4 in the locking position thereof. When locking lever 43 is in the locking position the left end thereof is engaged by an abutment 44a provided on a lever 44. Lever 44 is being rocked at each revolution of control cylinder 82 by a pin 85 projecting therefrom (see Fig. 14). When rocked, lever 44 engages a lever 74 mounted upon shaft 106. Shaft 106 forms an integral part of a push button 107, as clearly shown in Fig. 18. Disc 108 mounted on shaft 106 is coupled by means of pin 108a with lever 74. When push button 107 is being actuated, i. e. moved from left to right, as seen in Fig. 18, disc 108 is moved to the right and causes lever 109 to pivot in clockwise direction on pivot 109a. Lever 109 is acted upon by a spring (not shown) tending to move the lower or free end thereof into a groove or recess 110 of printing cylinder 81. This occurs at the end of each complete revolution of printing cylinder 81. Lever 109 must be caused to move to its locking position after completion of each revolution of printing cylinder 81, irrespective of the position of push button 107 at this time. To enable free movement of lever 109 to its locking position at the end of each complete revolution of printing cylinder 81, disc 108 is acted upon by lever 44 and shifted out of the path of lever 109 shortly prior to completion of each revolution of cylinder 81. This releases lever 109 even if push button 107 should still be depressed at this time. As long as lever 44 and lever 74 are shifted by pin 85 out of their normal positions lever 109 cannot be moved out of its locking position within groove 110 of printing cylinder 81 by depressing push button 107. When the locking mechanism is in its locking position shown in Fig. 4, lever 44 is also locked by the mechanism.

The position of lever 43 is dependent upon the position of cams 27 and 53. Cam 27 is mounted on the shaft 21 of the pre-setting mechanism which shaft is permanently coupled with the hundred units number wheel 64 of the subtracting totalizer S by means of gear train 26, 30 and 31. Cam 53 is attached to the ten units number wheel 63 of subtracting totalizer S. Cam 27 supports locking lever 43 so long as the hundred digit number wheel 64 indicates a figure which is larger than zero, thus precluding the locking lever 43 from moving to the locking position thereof. This is shown in Fig. 5. Upon rotation of the hundred digit number wheel 64 to the position wherein it indicates zero, the recess or groove 27a in cam 27 is in registry with the locking element 43a at the right end of locking lever 43 (Fig. 6), but arm 52 of locking lever 43 is still supported on the periphery of the cam 53. If now the number wheel 63 is further moved until it reaches the zero indicating position thereof, the wedge shaped end of arm 52 of locking lever 43 comes to be in registry with notch 53a provided in cam 53. Hence locking lever 43 can be moved to the locking position shown in Fig. 4 under the action of an actuating spring (not shown).

The above described mechanisms operate as follows:

Assuming that the pre-set amount has been used up to a point where the balance or remainder thereof is less than $9.99. This causes locking lever 43 to assume the locking position thereof. Lever 44 and lever 74 are then arrested by lever 43, and therefore latching lever 109 cannot be lifted out of its latching position in groove 110 of cylinder 81 by operation of push button 107. The device can only be rendered operative if again pre-set by an authorized person. To this end the protective hood or cover 201 is being removed, which gives access to lever 23. Lever 23 is then shifted to the left as seen in Figs. 1, 11 and 12. Thereupon arm 11 is turned by means of its handle 13 to the figure indicating the amount for which it is intended to pre-set the device. The next step is to turn operating knob 5 until arm 12 abuts against handle 13. Assuming arm 11 had been turned to the figure 7, as indicated in Fig. 12; under such circumstances operation of knob 5 causes the unit number wheel of the counter 19 to move seven steps, thus assuming the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 11. Operation of knob 5 causes the number wheel 64 of the subtracting totalizer to move seven steps, each corresponding to one unit, and cam 27 is rotated in an angle which is proportional to seven steps. Cam 27 therefore lifts the end 43a of lever 43 out of recess 27a, thus releasing lever 44. Spring 106a mounted on shaft 106 shifts member 74 to the vertical position thereof wherein push button 107 is being coupled by it with latch 109.

In order to select the value of the impression to be made on a letter or other mail lever 76 is pivoted about shaft (see Figs. 13 and 14), whereby the gears associated with the selector discs 77 to 79 are caused to engage the gears 97 (Figs. 15 and 16) of the printing cylinder 81 and the corresponding gears of the control drum 82. Ref erence numeral 75a has been applied to indicate gears associated with selector discs 77 to 79. The support of shaft 80, the handle on lever 76 for operating lever 76 have not, and the gears associated with the selector discs 77-79 have not fully, been shown in Fig. 14, this structure being fully disclosed in the above referred-to United States Patent 2,187,456 (see particularly Fig. 29 thereof). Subsequent adjustment of the three selector discs 77 to 79 causes the type wheels 92 of the printing cylinder 81 as well as the pin wheels 104 of the control drum 82 to move to the respective positions required for making the desired impression. Thereafter arm 76 and selector discs 7779 are shifted back to their original position wherein the gear associated with the selector discs 77, 78, 79 are no longer in cooperative relation with type wheels 92 and pin wheels 104. Actuation of push button 107 then causes latching lever 109 to release printing cylinder 81. Printing cylinder 81 may now be rotated 360 to make the desired impression. To this end the entire device is placed upon the letter or other mail to be imprinted and moved across the surface thereof. Upon having completed approximately one entire revolution, pin of control drum 82 engages member 44 and the latter shifts lever 74 and disc 108 to release latch 109, which then drops again into the latching groove of cylinder 81. In order to be able to make the next impression push button 107 must again be actuated to again release cylinder 81.

As any monetary impression is being made, the pin wheels 104 of drum 82 act upon the number wheels of the adding totalizer A by the intermediary of gears 37, 38 and 39. Since the subtracting totalizer S is geared to the adding totalizer A, the pin wheels 104 of drum 82 control also subtracting totalizer S at any impression made. The number wheel 64 of the highest digit of the subtracting totalizer S is being operated by the intermediate gear 31, 30, 26 until cam 27 has reached the locking position thereof. The locking lever 43 cannot engage the recess 27a in cam 27 before cam 53 connected to the next lower digit number wheel 63 has reached its respective locking position. Cam 53 reaches its respective locking position when the pre-set amount has been used up, except for a balance of $9.99, or less. If this is the case, locking lever 43 drops into recess 27a of cam 27 and locks the element 44, thus precluding further removal of latch 109 from recess 110 in cylinder 81 by actuation of push-button 107.

The mechanism shown in Fig. 11 differs from that shown in Fig. 1 in that the subtracting totalizer S is only provided with number wheels for unit digit numbers, ten digit numbers and hundred digit numbers, the number wheels for indicating decimal digit numbers having been omitted. Only the decimal digit number wheels 55 and 56 of the adding totalizer are adjustableby means of the gear in the operating drum 82 by the intermediary of gear 38 and 39. Only number wheel 57 of the addingtotalizer A indicating unit digit numbers is provided with a gear engaging a gear of a number wheel of the sub- ;tracting totalizer S, ire. number wheel 57 is provided with gear 32 meshing with gear 33 of the number wheel 61 of the subtracting totalizer S indicating unit digit numbers. Number wheel 57 may be fixedly attached to gear 32as distinguished from the structure of Fig. vl--'since any stepping operation of the number wheel 57 of the adding totalizer A is being transmitted to :the number wheel 62 of the subtracting totalizer Sindicating 'the 'lowest digit. Omission .of the number wheels in the subtracting totalizer indicating decimal digits makes it possible to simplify substantially the transmission between the number wheels of the adding :totalizer A indicating decimal digits. Numberwheels 63 and 64 'of the subtracting totalizerS shown in Fig. Ill a-re the same as the numberywheels in Fig. 1-1 indicated ,by the same reference numerals, and'the locking lever 43idiagrarnmatically-indicated in Fig. 1-1 is controlled =in.the fashion illustrated in Figs. 4.t0 6, and described :inzthe context thereof.

While the embodiments of the invention disclosed above are providedwithmeans for makingimpressionsinvolving three digits, it'will be;apparent to anyone skilled in the art that thestructures shown could readily be modified, if desired, for :making impressions involving more trated embodiments may be modified, .or other embodiments made, without departing from :the spirit and scope ofvthe invention as set forth'in-theaccompanying claims.

It is claimed:

1. In an apparatus for printing monetary :amounts comprising setting means for pre-setting athe apparatus for the printing of a plurality of amounts representing a predetermined aggregate value and locking means for precluding continued printing when the aggregate value of the printed amounts reaches said'predeterminedaggregate-value the combination of a rotatable printing .cyl-

inder provided with a plurality-of adjustable type wheels, a rotatable control cylinder provided with a plurality of toothed wheels each having 'a plurality :of :teeth adapted "to be individually adjusted between inoperative positions and operative positions, common means for adjusting saidplurality of type wheels and said plurality of teeth of said plurality of toothed wheels in :accordvancewith predetermined amounts :to be printed :by said printing cylinder, an adding'totalizeriadapted;to:be;operatedby said plurality of toothed wheels *upon rotation of said control cylinder to indicate the sum total of said predetermined amounts, a subtracting totalizer deducting each said predetermined amounts rirorn a predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer rhas been :pre-set, a :locking :mechanism under :the control of said subtracting totalizer for-precluding continued :rota- 'tion of said printing cylinder, :a :manual operator, 'a coupling adapted to be shifted selectively into two dilierent operating positions for connectingsaid manualiuper" ator ,operatively withsaidsubtracting'totalizerto ifinfl'ble manual adjustment by said .manual operator :of said-subtracting totalizer to said predetermined value, and an additional counter under the control rof --said manual Qperator adding the sum total .Of each saidi'predetermined value 'to which said subtractingtotalizer hasbeen preeset.

2. In an apparatus for printing monetary amounts comprising setting means for pre-setting the .apparatus for the printing of a plurality of monetary amountsrepresenting a predetermined aggregate value and locking means for precluding continued printing when the aggro" gate value of the printed amounts reaches said predetermined aggregate value the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder provided with a plurality of adjustable type Wheels, a rotatable control cylinder provided with a plurality of toothed Wheels each having a plurality of teeth adapted to be individually adjusted between inoperative positions and operative positions thereof, common means for adjusting said plurality of type wheels and said plurality of teeth of said plurality of toothed wheels in accordance with predetermined amounts to be printed by said printing cylinder, an adding totalizer adapted to be operated 'by said plurality of toothed wheels upon rotation of said control cylinder to indicate the sum total of said predetermined amount, a subtracting totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, means under the control of said plurality of toothed wheels controlling said plurality of number wheels of said subtracting totalizer for deducting each said predetermined amountsfrom apredetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer has been pre-set, a locking mechanism under the control of said subtracting totalizer for precluding continued operation of the printing apparatus, a manual operator, a coupling adapted to be shifted selectively into two different operating positions enabling to couple said manual operator with the number Wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit thereof, and an additional counter under the control of said manual operator adding the sum total of each said predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer has been pre-set.

3. 'In an apparatus for printing monetary amounts comprising setting means for pre-setting the apparatus for the printing of a plurality of monetary amounts representing a predetermined aggregate value and locking means for precluding continued printing when the aggregate value of the printed amounts reaches said predetermined aggregate value the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder provided with a plurality of adjustable type wheels, a rotatable control cylinder provided with a plurality of toothed wheels each having a plurality of teeth adapted to be individually adjusted between inoperative positions and operative positions thereof, means for adjusting said pluralityof type wheels and said plurality of teeth of said plurality oftoothed wheels in acocrdance with predetermined amounts to be printed by said printing cylinder, afirst adding totalizer adapted to be operated by said plurality of toothed wheels upon rotation of said control cylinder to indicate the aggregate of said predetermined amounts, a subtracting totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, means under the control of said plurality of toothed wheels controlling said plurality of number wheels of said subtracting totalizer for deducting each said predetermined amounts from a predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer has been pre-set, a locking mechanism under the control of said subtracting totalizer for precluding continued operation of the printing apparatus, a manual operator, a coupling adapted to be shifted selectively to two different operating positions enabling to couple said manual operator with the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit thereof to preset said subtracting totalizer to predetermined values, a second adding totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, and means for establishing an operative connection between said manual operator and the number wheel of said second adding totalizer indicating the lowest digit to cause said second adding totalizer toadd the sum total of each said predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer is being pre-set by said manual operator.

4. In an apparatus for printing monetary amounts comprising setting means for pre-setting the apparatus for the printing of a plurality of monetary amounts representing a predetermined aggregate value and locking means for precluding continued printing when the aggregate value of the printed amounts reaches said predetermined aggregate value the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder provided with a plurality of adjustable type wheels, a rotatable control cylinder provided with a plurality of toothed wheels each having a plurality of teeth adapted to be individually adjusted between inoperative positions and operative positions thereof, means for adjusting said plurality of type wheels and said plurality of teeth of said plurality of toothed wheels in accordance with predetermined amounts to be printed by said printing cylinder, a first adding totalizer adapted to be operated by said plurality of toothed wheels upon rotation of said control cylinder to indicate the aggregate of said predetermined amounts, at subtracting totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, means under the control of said plurality of toothed wheels controlling said plurality of number wheels of said subtracting totalizer for deducting each said predetermined amounts from a predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer has been pre-set, a locking mechanism under the control of a plurality of number wheels of said subtracting totalizer for precluding continued operation of said apparatus, a manual operator, a coupling adapted to be shifted selectively to two different operating positions enabling to couple said manual operator with the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit thereof to pre-set said subtracting totalizer to predetermined values, a second adding totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, and means for establishing an operative connection between said manual operator and the number wheel of said second adding totalizer indicating the lowest digit to cause said second adding totalizer to add the sum total of each said predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer is being pre-set by said manual operator.

5. In an apparatus for printing monetary amounts comprising setting means for pre-setting the apparatus for the printing of a plurality of monetary amounts representing a predetermined aggregate value and locking means for precluding continued printing when the aggregate value of the printed amounts reaches said predetermined aggregate value the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder provided with a plurality of adjustable type wheels, a rotatable control cylinder provided with a plurality of toothed wheels each having a plurality of teeth adapted to be individually adjusted between inoperative positions and operative positions thereof, means for adjusting said plurality of type wheels and said plurality of teeth of said plurality of toothed wheels in accordance with predetermined amounts to be printed by said printing cylinder, a first adding totalizer adapted to be operated by said plurality of toothed wheels upon rotation of said control cylinder to indicate the aggregate of said predetermined amounts, a subtracting totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating a number involving a plurality of digits, means under the control of said plurality of toothed wheels controlling said plurality of number whee.s of said subtracting totalizer for deducting each said predetermined amounts from a predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer has been pre-set, a manual operator, a coupling adapted to be shifted selectively into two different operating positions enabling to couple said manual operator with the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit thereof to pre-set said subtracting totalizer to predetermined values, a second adding totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, means for establishing an operative connection between said manual operator and the number wheel of said second adding totalizer indicating the low est digit to cause said second adding totalizer to add the sum total of each said predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer is being pre-set by said manual operator, a cam, a gear train in permanent engagement fixedly coupling said cam with the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit, and a locking lever controlled by said cam adapted to lock-out said printing apparatus upon rotation of said number wheel of said subtracting totalizer to the zero position thereof.

6. In an apparatus for printing monetary amounts comprising setting means for pre-setting the apparatus for the printing of a plurality of monetary amounts representing a predetermined aggregate value and locking means for precluding continued printing when the aggregate value of the printed amounts reaches said predetermined aggregate value the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder provided with a plurality of adjustable type wheels, a rotatable control cylinder provided with a plurality of toothed wheels each having a plurality of teeth adapted to be individually adjusted between inoperative positions and operative positions thereof, means for adjusting said plurality of type wheels and said plurality of teeth of said plurality of toothed wheels in accordance with predetermined amounts to be printed by said printing cylinder, 21 first adding totalizer adapted to be operated by said plurality of toothed wheels upon rotation of said control cylinder to indicate the aggregate of said predetermined amounts, a subtracting totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, means under the control of said plurality of toothed wheels controlling said plurality of number wheels of said subtracting totalizer for deducting each said predetermined amounts from a predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer has been pre-set, a manual operator, a coupling adapted to be shifted selectively into two difierent operating positions enabling to couple said manual operator with the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit thereof to pre-set said subtracting totalizer to predetermined values, a second adding totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, means for establishing an operative connection between said manual operator and the number wheel of said second adding totalizer indicating the lowest digit to cause said second adding totalizer to add the sum total of each said predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer is being pre-set by said manual operator, a first cam driven by a train of permanently engaged gears from the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit. a second cam driven by another number wheel of said subtracting totalizer, and a locking lever controlled by said first cam and by said second cam for locking-out said printing apparatus upon rotation of said number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit and upon rotation of said other number wheel of said subtracting totalizer to the respective zero position thereof.

7. In an apparatus for printing monetary amounts comprising setting means for pre-setting the apparatus for the printing of a plurality of monetary amounts representing a predetermined aggregate value and lock ing means for precluding continued printing when the aggregate value of the printed amounts reaches said predetermined aggregate value the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder provided with a plurality of adjustable type wheels, a rotatable control cylinder provided with a plurality of toothed wheels each having a plurality of teeth adapted to be individually adjusted between inoperative and operative positions thereof, means for adjusting said plurality of type wheels and said plurality of teeth of said plurality of toothed wheels in accordance with predetermined amounts to be printed by said printing cylinder, a first adding totalizer adapted to be operated by said plurality of toothed wheels upon rotation of said control cylinder to indicate the aggregate of said predetermined amounts, a subtracting totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, means under the control of said plurality of toothed wheels controlling said plurality of number wheels of said subtracting totalizer for deducting each said predetermined amounts from a predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer has been pre-set, means controlled by one of the number wheels of said subtracting totalizer operative upon stepping of said one of the number wheels from the zero position to the nine position thereof to advance one step the number wheel of said substracting totalizer indicating the next higher digit, a lock-out mechanism under the control of said subtracting totalizer precluding continued operation of said apparatus, a manual operator, an adjustable coupling adapted to be shifted to two different operating positions to couple said manual operator with the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit thereof to pre-set said subtracting totalizer to predetermined values, a second adding totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, and means for establishing an operative connection between said manual operator and the number wheel of said second adding totalizer indicating the lowest digit to cause said second adding totalizer to add the sum total of each said predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer is being pre-set by said manual operator.

8. In an apparatus for printing monetary amounts comprising setting means for pro-setting the apparatus for the printing of a plurality of monetary amounts representing a predetermined aggregate value and locking means for precluding continued printing when the aggregate value of the printed amounts reaches said predetermined aggregate value the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder provided with a plurality of adjustable type wheels, a rotatable control cylinder provided with a plurality of toothed wheels each having a plurality of teeth adapted to be individually adjusted between inoperative positions and operative positions thereof, means for adjusting said plurality of type wheels and said plurality of teeth of said plurality of toothed wheels in accordance with predetermined amounts to be printed by said printing cylinder, a first adding totalizer adapted to be operated by said plurality of toothed wheels upon rotation of said control cylinder to indicate the aggregrate of said predetermined amounts, a subtracting totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, a manual operator, an adjustable couplng adapted to be shifted to two different operating positions to couple said manual operator with the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit thereof to pre-set said subtracting totalizer to predetermined values, means under the control of said plurality of toothed wheels controlling said plurality of number wheels of said subtracting totalizer for deducting each said predetermined amounts from a predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer has been pre-set, a pair of toothed wheels associated with said number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit thereof, one of said pair of toothed wheels being under the control of the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the next lower digit and the other of said pair of toothed wheels being under the control of said manual operator, a second adding totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, and means for establishing an operative connection between said manual '14 operator and the number wheel of said second adding totalizer indicating the lowest digit to cause said second adding-totalizer to add the sum total of each said predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer is being pre-set by said manual operator.

9. -In an apparatus for printing monetary amounts comprising setting means for pie-setting the apparatus for the printing ofa plurality of monetary amounts representing a predetermined aggregate value and locking means for precluding continued printing when the aggregate value of the printed amounts reaches said predetermined aggregate value the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder provided with a plurality of adjustable type wheels, a rotatable control cylinder provided with a plurality of toothed wheels each having a plurality of teeth adapted to be individually adjusted between inoperative positions and operative positions thereof, means for adjusting said plurality of type wheels and said plurality of teeth of said plurality of toothed wheels in accordance with predetermined amounts to be printed by said printing cylinder, a first adding totalizer adapted to be operated by said plurality of toothed wheels upon rotation of said control cylinder to indicate the aggregate of said predetermined amounts, a subtracting totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, a manual operator, an adjustable coupling adapted to be shifted to two different operating positions to couple said manual operator with the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit thereof to pre-set said subtracting totalizer to predetermined values, a second adding totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, means for establishing an operative connection between said manual operator and the number wheel of said second adding totalizer indicating the lowest digit to cause said second adding totalizer to add the sum total of each said predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer is being pre-set by said manual operator, means under the control of said plurality of toothed wheels controlling said plurality of number wheels of said subtracting totalizer for deducting each said predetermined amounts from a predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer has been pre-set, a pair of toothed wheels associated with the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit thereof, one of said pair of toothed wheels being under the control of the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the next lower digit and the other of said pair of toothed wheels being under the control of said manual operator, and coupling means permitting rotation of said number wheel indicating the highest digit in opposite directions depending upon whether said number wheel indicating said highest digit is being operated by said number wheel indicating the next lower digit or by said manual operator.

10. In an apparatus for printing monetary amounts comprising setting means for pre-setting the apparatus for the printing of a plurality of monetary amounts representing a predetermined aggregate value and locking means for precluding continued printing when the aggregate value of the printed amounts reaches said predetermined aggregate value the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder provided with three adjustable type wheels, a rotatable control cylinder provided with three toothed wheels each having a plurality of teeth adapted to be individually adjusted between inoperative positions and operative positions thereof, means for adjusting said three type wheels and said plurality of teeth of said three toothed wheels in accordance with predetermined amounts to be printed by said printing cylinder, a first adding totalizer adapted to be operated by said three toothed wheels to indicate the aggregate of said predetermined amounts including means under the control of said three toothed wheels in operative relation with the number wheels of said first adding totalizer, a subtracting totalizer compris- 15 ing a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, means for coupling the number wheel of the third digit of said first adding totalizer with the number wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the lowest digit, a locking mechanism under the control of said subtracting totalizer for precluding continued operation of said printing apparatus, a manual operator, an adjustable coupling adapted to be shifted to two diiferent operating positions to couple said manual operator with the number Wheel of said subtracting totalizer indicating the highest digit thereof to pre-set said subtracting totalizer to predetermined values, a second adding totalizer comprising a plurality of number wheels for indicating numbers involving a plurality of digits, means for establishing an operative connection between said manual operator and the number Wheel of said second adding totalizer indicating the lowest digit to cause said second adding totalizer to add the sum total of each said predetermined value to which said subtracting totalizer is being pre-set by said manual operator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,187,456 Komusin Jan. 16, 1940 

